A Cumbrian graduate presented her own research at a global conservation convention - the day she submitted it as part of her degree.

Jess Betts, from Brampton, gave world leaders an insight into her MSc thesis, which she completed for her masters in Conservation Science at Imperial College London.

The 25-year-old was speaking at the World Conservation Congress in Hawaii about a framework she developed to allow conservation projects to assess how successful they've been.

Thrilled to be given the opportunity, she explained how it came about.

"I was working with the chair of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and as the chair he has an important role in the World Conservation Congress," said Jess.

"Initially he asked if he could present my research there and then I asked if there would be the opportunity to go myself. He asked around and said yes.

"It was absolutely crazy. There were over 10,000 people registered for the conference."

Arriving in time for the opening day of the conference, Jess proofread her thesis and submitted it from Honolulu, Oahu, before going to present it later the same day.

The congress, which takes place every four years, sees all of the top figures in conservation gather for 10 days and helps shape the direction of conservation and sustainable development.

It is run by the IUCN which Jess developed her thesis in collaboration with.

Her research, 'Developing Framework for Evaluating the Impact of the IUCN Red List', which she worked on from April to September, aims to help conservationists find out what impact they have on the conservation of a particular endangered species.

She presented to about 150 people as part of a panel.

It Is still in the earlier stages but Jess is now working with her supervisors at Imperial College and IUCN to develop the paper towards publication.

The former William Howard School pupil, who now lives in London, initially graduated from the University of Liverpool with a degree in Zoology.

After working in Greece on the island of Kefalonia for three summers to protect loggerhead sea turtles through conservation, education and research, she went to studying her masters in October 2015.

In Greece she worked with Wildlife Sense firstly as an voluntary intern in 2013, then in 2014 as field leader and in 2015 she was appointed head of field operations.

Her work there meant she built up the valuable experience needed to get on the masters course.

She is now is applying for conservation jobs in London and further afield.